In the movie the Big Sleep, the female characters come through in as unfamiliarly strong for the era and the film noir genre (subgenre?). Vivian Sternwood Rutledge seems self-sufficient in the dangerous world that surrounds her rather than a femme fatale or a damsel to be saved. Vivian is arguably the most well rounded female character, who's development even contributed to the abandonment of the plot in production. Her ability to both talk her way out of situations and hold her own in dangerous circumstances contributes the the strength of the character, as does her perceived equality with Philip Marlowe. For example, she keeps up with his fast talking pace and even keeps information away form a seemingly genius detective during the course
